Natural Drinking Training Apparatus and Training System Facilitating Normal Development of Oral Postures, Oral Movements, and Jaw/Mouth Anatomy

ABSTRACT

A baby and/or child training drinking cup system and apparatus is described. The system is configured to minimally inhibit the flow of liquid from the cup to the mouth of the child via a simulated natural-form cup rim configured to permit passage of liquid from the apparatus freely after the apparatus is tipped to the requisite degree, providing a natural drinking experience. Providing children liquids in this manner prevents incorrect training induced by conventional ‘sippy’ cups, and prevents development of resulting speech disorders, dental issues, impaired tongue movement, and jaw/palate disorders. The complete system is designed to correctly train users in the anatomically appropriate manner to consume liquid from cups, or food from containers with protruding tops to be put in the mouth to consume food contents.

CONTINUITY

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/218,786, filed on Jul. 25, 2016, and priority isclaimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the education and training ofconventional freeform or ‘natural’ drinking from a cup to individuals,and more specifically relates to a training drink receptacle apparatusand system configured to natively train a child to use the correct oral,head, and neck postures, form, and style of drinking conventionally todevelop a normal, healthy drinking pattern using the normal physicalsequential oral muscle movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Babies and young children learning to drink from containers other than ababy bottle or a mother's nipple are often provided beverages withinconventional child ‘sippy’ cups. Often these cups are small andspill-proof, which is initially a benefit to many parents andcaregivers, as less time is spent cleaning up messes. Sippy cups have asmall, pacifier-like protrusion equipped with one or more tiny holes atthe tip. The one or more holes are often reinforced with a one-way stopvalve of silicone or a similar mechanism to prevent unwanted spillage.Therefore, the child is required to actively suckle on the pacifier-likeprotrusion (formed spout) in order for liquid to travel to the mouth ofthe child for consumption.

While this action excels as preventing waste and spillage, itunfortunately comes paired with several detrimental consequences. As aresult of the use of conventional sippy cups, children learn anincorrect, developmentally detrimental, and unrealistic method ofdrinking, making it more difficult and time consuming to unlearn anopposed muscle pattern, and then learn to drink correctly from aconventional cup or glass. The use of oral muscles during use of theconventional sippy cup requires and enforces the infantile suckling of anipple far beyond infancy, thereby inhibiting the child's ability todevelop a normal drinking pattern. The normal or conventional drinkingpattern is in exact opposition of the suckle pattern required by theformed spout of a sippy cup.

Additionally, use of sippy cups can cause children to develop oralfixations or complexes, reinforcing the need to suck thumbs andpacifiers later into childhood. Often, children bite the spout becausethey have not been afforded the opportunity to develop jaw stability.Similarly, due to sucking on the pacifier-like protrusion spout ofconventional sippy cups, children are prone to speech disorders, as wellas disordered lingual mandibular, alveolar rest posture, as the musclesin their tongues are not trained in the traditional mature manner. Whenthe child locks his or her mouth onto the pacifier-like protrusion orsimilar sippy cup formed spout, the tongue is forced in an unnaturaldirection via a forward thrust or anchored down to the bottom of themouth, which most often causes swallowing disorders, speech disorders,including, but not limited to speech sounds such as “S,” “Z,” “Ch,”“Sh,” “R,” “L,” “N,” “D,” and “T,” as well as an impaired lingual,mandibular/alveolar rest posture, making initial and continuedpronunciations of words to be impaired. This often leads a large numberof children to require speech, swallowing, and oral motor therapy tocure these disorders. This process is rather timely, usually takingseveral years, and in many cases, is very expensive.

Likewise, dental and oral structural damage can occur from use of sippycups, which is exacerbated by the extended duration of time required totrain children to drink from a standard cup. The longer a child uses acup with a non-conventional lip, the greater the time it takes to‘un-train’ the damaging behavior of using non-conventional muscletension and movements to drink. This ‘un-training’ followed by correctmuscle training/therapy can only be accomplished through swallowingtherapy provided by a speech pathologist who is properly trained toprovide this therapeutic treatment. The longer it takes a child to learnto drink correctly, with properly paced flow control and correct oralmuscle patterns, from a standard glass or cup, the longer the child isbiting and sucking on the sippy cup, potentially negatively affectingthe growth of teeth and hard palate. Similarly, the longer the bad habitof drinking non-conventionally persists, the longer and more difficultit will be to reverse.

Additionally, other alternative cups possess other damaging abnormaloral patterns, such as cups that require the child to use lip muscletension to release the stop valve to permit liquid to flow) areconfigured to function at any orientation, with some even having aninternal and/or external straw, eliminating the need to tip the sippycup at all to deliver liquid to the mouth via suction (suckling). Withthese cups, the straw placement in the child's mouth mimics the samesuckling pattern as the sippy spout. The child is not afforded theopportunity to experience the natural drinking process via the correcttongue elevation and placement on the alveolar ridge because the strawanchors the tongue to the bottom of the mouth during use. The child isagain forced to use the infantile suckle for liquid. This does not allowthe child to experiment and eventually master the act of tipping boththe cup and the child's head during drinking, and does not allow thepractice of tongue elevation and correct placement on the alveolarridge. Habitual practice of this impaired method of straw drinking isdamaging. As the child gets older and as a result of extended drinkingin this suckling fashion, additional time effort, and therapy by aprofessional speech pathologist is required to train the child to usegraded head tilts to allow graduated flow control to the mouth, anddexterity required to drink from an normal lipped glass or cup.

It is known that children must practice the normal, intra-oral exerciseof drinking, including maintaining the freedom of lingual range ofmotion, in order to learn to drink correctly without the tongue beingheld down by the formed spout of a sippy cup. With the use of a sippycup, the tongue tip elevation to the alveolar ridge is completelyinhibited. It is this posture that is essential in developing a normaldrinking pattern. As such, the development of the correct drinkingposture and pattern is essential in developing a normal drinking patternand lingual/alveolar resting posture. A normal lingual/alveolar restingposture is necessary for normal palate development (expansion). It hasbeen said that the tongue is the ‘place saver’ for the palate. Thetongue, when in the correct resting posture, exerts almost constantpressure on the hard palate, starting at the alveolar ridge, andfacilitates the normal palate expansion to coincide with the growth ofthe tongue and palate. This forms a normally sized and shaped palate.Depriving the child's tongue access to the palate, via a formed spout ofa sippy cup can severely inhibit essential palatal widening, causing ahigh-vaulted, narrow palate, which is a structural abnormality in themouth. This abnormality then causes dental and jaw problems andabnormalities, all of which can be very costly to repair.

Additionally, use of sippy cups by children can also cause earinfections. Aside from being an illness, ear infections can betemporarily detrimental to a child's hearing, as they may causetemporary hearing loss known as conductive hearing loss. As it is knownthat the first three years of a child's life are critical for thedevelopment of speech and language, any time with hearing loss in earlydevelopment can hinder speech and language development, and may causefunctional attention problems. The reason that sippy cups can cause earinfections is because a child can drink from the sippy cup while lyingdown. It is therefore advantageous to limit the chance of ear infectionswith a new cup design that makes it impossible for the child to drinkwhile lying down, and forces the child to use the correct posture duringdrinking.

Conventional sippy cups are known to require consistent and thoroughcleaning in order to be used, as conventional sippy cups are prone toharbor mold within the cap and spout components.

Thus, there is a need for a new form of child drink training cupconfigured to force the child to drink with the proper form, andencourage the education and practice of flow control by nearlysimulating the free-form flow of a conventional glass or cup. Such anapparatus is preferably configured to train children the proper way tobring the cup slowly between the lips, level to the mouth, and tip thecup and their head with the proper amount of dexterity and head/cupgrading to achieve usable flow and control without spilling.Importantly, such a child drink training cup would allow the normalunhampered movement and normal exercise of the tongue to allowdevelopment of a normal lingual/alveolar resting posture and normalpalate growth/expansion. This resting posture tongue placement isidentical to the correct swallow process and the posture of many normalspeech/sound productions.

Other forms of drinking training cups have removable components withinthe lid, or those that slide or otherwise change position. These movingparts can be removed by the child, and can present a choking hazard foryoung children. Additionally, removal of parts from other alternativecups can lead to a total loss of the liquid in the cup, making a largemess in the process. Therefore, there is a need for a lid with a normalcup lip that is configured as a unitary piece, without any moving orremovable parts, that is safer for young children to use while learningto drink with the conventional form, oral posturing, and flow pacing.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a drinking training cup and system forchildren, configured to educate, facilitate, and reinforce the normalmotor skills used for drinking from a typical cup or glass, facilitatingthe learning of proper lip, tongue, and neck posture/movement, as wellas usable flow control. The present invention also acts to facilitatenormal head and cup grading for appropriate tilt of the cup for flowcontrol. The apparatus of the present invention is a containerconfigured to hold liquids to be consumed by a human individual. Thecontainer body is preferably fashioned of an impact-resistant material,such as a BPA-free plastic or acrylic polymer, and is preferably moldedinto a rounded or hour-glass-like shape to facilitate grip of thepresent invention during use. The base of the present invention ispreferably weighted, to allow the present invention to right itself tothe upright position if knocked or pushed. The preferred placement ofthe handles of the present invention are such that the bottom portion ofthe handles help to keep the present invention level, contributing tospill prevention.

The present invention may be equipped with dual handles disposed on theright and left side of the container body, to encourage drinking withboth hands, which helps to develop the normal, bilateral, symmetrical,and midline cup holding posture, and allow for the development of normalflow control and dexterity of the child with prolonged use. Use of thepresent invention in this manner also helps to inhibit spilling. Someembodiments of the present invention may feature removable handles.

Additionally, the present invention is equipped with a cap. The cappreferably screws onto the body, so as to be difficult to remove for thechild, and is easily removed for cleaning. Such a cap inhibits unwantedspillage of the liquid; however it may be unscrewed easily by an adultfor cleaning. The cap is preferably equipped with a natural drinkinglip, similar to those found on conventional glasses and cups. Preferablyat least one drinking hole is disposed at the base of the naturaldrinking lip to permit the passage of liquid.

Likewise, at least one air hole is preferably disposed opposite the atleast one drinking hole, and is configured to permit the free passage ofair which displaces the liquid in the container portion of the presentinvention as the liquid is consumed. As such, the at least one drinkinghole(s) function in tandem with the at least one air hole(s) to simulatethe flow and natural drinking posture standard to drinking glasses andcups. The at least one drinking holes are preferably recessed into thecap of the present invention, facilitating drinking solely from the rimof the present invention.

The present invention is also equipped with a bottom which is preferablyweighted to help encourage the child to put the cup down in the correct,upright orientation. As such, the center of gravity of the presentinvention is preferably near the bottom of the body of the presentinvention.

Some embodiments of the present invention may be equipped with a strawwhich extends from above the top of the cup lid. In such embodiments,the straw has a built-in lip stopper. This lip stopper will only allowthe straw to enter the child's lips, not beyond the lips into the mouth,thus ensuring that the child cannot suckle on the straw, preventingdental and speech damage from straw use. Regular straw use can be asdamaging as a spout since the child can put the straw into the mouthwell beyond the lips and suckle the straw in the exact same way thechild suckles the sippy spout. A lip stopper is disposed on the strawapproximately one-eighth to one-quarter inch from the end of the strawto prevent the user from placing the straw beyond the lips into themouth during use. This ensures that the child cannot suckle on thestraw, thus preventing dental and speech damage caused by improper strawuse. One embodiment includes the use of a one-way valve. Use of thisone-way valve will ensure no spillage. Other embodiments of the presentinvention may include lids equipped with straws having lip stoppers atdecreasing distances from the tip of the straw, starting atapproximately three quarters of an inch from the lid, progressing to afinal cap equipped with a straw extending one quarter to one eight of aninch from the op of the lid. Such a series of lids are designed forchildren who have learned incorrect straw/mouth placement, and requirethe progressive ‘grading down’ of the length of the straw tip in orderto eventually achieve the normal and correct placement of the strawbetween the lips of the mouth. Some instances of this embodiment arepreferably equipped with a lip stopper/straw cap, which is configured topress-fit onto the opening of the straw and butts up to the lip stopper,helping to keep the straw and lip stopper portion of the presentinvention sanitary when not in active use. Such a lip stopper/straw capis preferably tethered to one of the handles of the present invention inorder to prevent loss. The tether is preferably composed of silicone ora similarly flexible plastic.

Additionally, this arrangement can function well for use on food poucheswith a spout-like pouch outlet. The system of the present inventionincludes the use of a food pouch component referred to as a capper,which is configured for use on conventional food pouches for babies andchildren. The capper is also equipped with a lip stopper, configured tolimit the extent to which the capper can extend beyond the lips into themouth of the child. The capper is designed to fit atop the stock spoutor straw-like protrusion from the pouch. The capper is placed on thepouch spout manually. The child may then consume the food within thefood pouch via the capper, and is unable to place the capper beyond hisor her lips, facilitating a normalized oral pattern of use. It will bepossible for the capper to fit over some makes/sizes of straws.Additionally, the food pouch capper is also equipped with a built-inlid, which preferably press-fits onto the top of the capper, and buttsup to the lip-stopper, sealing the contents within the food pouch, andhelping to keep dirt and debris from entering the food spout, or cominginto contact with the lip stopper.

It should be understood that the capper portion of the present inventionis external to the cup portion of the present invention, and that use ofboth the food pouch capper component as well as the drinking apparatushelps to eliminate issues that inhibit the development of oral postures,oral movements, and jaw/mouth anatomy as discussed in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to theappended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, detailing the front side.

FIG. 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the cap of the presentinvention, showing one drinking hole and one air hole.

FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the cap of the presentinvention, detailing two drinking holes and two air holes.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of a third embodiment of the cap of the presentinvention, detailing three drinking holes and three air holes.

FIG. 5 displays a view of a fourth embodiment of the cap of the presentinvention, showing four drinking holes and four air holes.

FIG. 6 exhibits a view of and alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, having an hourglass-shaped body with removable handles.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention having a vase-shaped body without handles.

FIG. 8 depicts the capper of the present invention, which is configuredto sit atop a spout of a food pouch.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart detailing the process of use of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 shows the capper of the present invention equipped with thebuilt-in lid as seen from the front.

FIG. 11 shows the capper of the present invention, shown with thebuilt-in lid closed, as seen from the side, affixed to a food pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a drinking training apparatus designed toeducate and train children, including infants and babies, in the properform and flow control required to drink from a conventional or standardglass or cup. The present invention has a container portion (10) housedwithin a body (20). The body (20) preferably provides insulation for thecontainer portion (10). A cap (30) is configured to screw onto the body(20), and cover the container portion (10) of the present invention.

The cap (30) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention isequipped with a lip (50), drinking holes (60), and air holes (80). Thereis preferably an equal number of drinking holes (60) and air holes (80).In this respect, in some embodiments of the present invention, the airholes (80) or the drinking holes (60) can be used by the child toconsume the beverage. Neither the air holes (80) nor the drinking holes(60) are equipped with a silicone stop valve, and instead allow liquidto freely flow from the container portion (10), out of the drinkingholes (60), down the lip (50), and into the mouth of the child. Duringthis process, the air holes (80) permit the passage of air into thecontainer portion (10) to displace the liquid, facilitating the freeflow of liquid from the container portion (10) of the present invention.As there are no extraneous components, such as a stop valve or othermeans of impeding the liquid that is not easily removed, mold orunwanted bacteria cannot grow within the cap (30) of the presentinvention, unlike the lids or caps of conventional sippy cups.

Additionally, the cap (30) of the present invention preferably screwsonto the body (20), and is threaded with specifically oriented threadingto ensure that the drinking holes (60) and lip (50) of the presentinvention align with the front of the body (20), equidistant between thetwo handles (40). This helps to ensure that the drinking holes (60) arecentered between the handles (40), and thereby causing the flow ofliquid to be centered between the handles (40) during use.

The drinking holes (60) of the present invention are small enough tolimit flow of liquid to the lip of the cup, preventing complete spillageof the liquid if turned over, yet large and plentiful enough to providea significant, freeform flow of liquid to the mouth of the child. It isenvisioned that the cap (30) can be covered with a spill cover, which isconfigured to affix to the lip (50) of the cap (30), providing anair-tight seal.

The body (20) of the preferred embodiment of the present inventionpreferably has a round shape, and is equipped with a cavity disposedbetween the handles (40) and the body (20), providing for adequate handplacement on the handles (40). In alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, the handles (40) may be removed without tools for cleaning orreplacement. The handles (40) of the present invention preferably curveout from both sides of the body (20), and are disposed opposite of oneanother. As the goal of consistent use of the present invention is toget the child to understand how to bring a cup up and tilt it towardsthe mouth properly and to determine the appropriate head/cup tilt basedon the development of tactile proprioceptive learning of handle control.The handles (40) are disposed across from one another or diametricallyopposed to one another, as seen in FIG. 1, encouraging two-hand use.Alternate embodiments of the present invention include a body (20)having an hour-glass shape to facilitate use of the present invention bythose with small hands, and to help develop the dexterity required tohold and drink from a cup with only one hand without the use of handles(40).

Additionally, the present invention is preferably equipped with aweighted bottom (70), which helps to keep the present invention uprightbetween sips. Additionally, the weighted bottom (70) helps to teach andremind children that cups are supposed to go upright, rather than simplytossed on a couch or floor, as is done with conventional spill-proofsippy cups. The effect of the weighted bottom (70) is preferablyaccomplished via an embedded weighted disc disposed in the bottomportion of the present invention. Such a weighted disc is preferablycomposed of metal or a mineral or composite, such as cement or stone.

To prevent spillage during transport, the present invention ispreferably equipped with a removable spill cap, configured to plugand/or cover the drinking holes (60) during transit, or when otherwisenot in use.

The process of use of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 3, ispreferably as follows:

-   -   1. First, the container portion (10) of the body (20) of the        present invention is filled with a liquid, and the cap (30) is        screwed on tightly. (100) In the event that the present        invention is to be transported or is filled for use at a later        time, the spill cover (200) can be placed atop the cap (30) to        securely prevent spillage.    -   2. The child grasps the body (20) of the present invention via        the handles (40), preferably with both hands. (110) If needed,        the child or adult removes the spill cover.    -   3. Next, the child slowly and gradually brings the lip (50) of        the cap (30) to his or her lips. (120)    -   4. Then, the child gradually tips the body (20) of the present        invention upwards until liquid begins to flow out of the        drinking holes (60), onto the lip (50), and into the mouth of        the child. Simultaneously, air enters the air holes (80),        displacing the consumed liquid. (130)    -   5. The child then lowers the body (20) of the present invention        via the handles (40), and is encouraged to place the present        invention down upright by the weighted bottom (70). (140)    -   6. Optionally, a spill cap may be attached to the cap (30) to        facilitate spill-free transport of the present invention. (150)    -   7. Alternately, a cap (30) equipped with a straw (35) and lip        stopper (45) may be used in lieu of a cap (30) having drinking        holes (60) and air holes (80), as seen in FIG. 1. During use,        the child simply drinks from the straw (35), and the lip stopper        (45) prevents the straw from entering the mouth of the child        (beyond the lips), preventing damage to the child. (160)

Alternate embodiments of the present invention include variations on thecoloring, texture, and material of the body (20) and handles (40) of thepresent invention. Additionally, some alternate embodiments of thepresent invention may employ a varied number of drinking holes (60) toprovide even faster flow of liquid from the container portion (10) ofthe present invention as the child's skill increases. For example, asecond embodiment of the cap (30) of the present invention is equippedwith one drinking hole (60) and one air hole (80), as shown in FIG. 5which provides the most flow control as a child is first learning todrink. A second embodiment of the cap (30) of the present invention isequipped with two drinking holes (60) and two air holes (80), which isless restrictive. A third embodiment of the cap (30) of the presentinvention is equipped with three drinking holes (60) and three air holes(80). It is envisioned that all embodiments of the cap (30) of thepresent invention may be included in the marketed version of the presentinvention, providing for the progressive scaling of liquid available tothe child as he or she learns to drink with the correct posture and flowcontrol over time.

As the child learns the procedure of drinking properly, it is envisionedthat the child may graduate to more advanced caps (30) of the presentinvention. For example, when a child is first learning to drink, thechild should first use the embodiment of the cap shown in FIG. 2,outfitted with only one drinking hole (60) and one air hole (80) tolimit the flow of the beverage. After learning with this embodiment, thechild may graduate to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which has twodrinking holes (60) and two air holes (80), providing slightly greaterflow. After mastery is demonstrated, the child may then graduate to theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, which is equipped with three drinking holes(60) and three air holes (80). Finally, the child may then graduate tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 5, which is equipped with four drinkingholes (60) and four air holes (80), which provide approximately the sameamount of flow as a standard drinking cup. It should be understood thatthe cap (30) of the present invention may be replaced with any otherembodiment of the cap (30) as shown in FIG. 1-5.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention employs a straw cap inwhich a straw (35) is equipped with a lip stopper (45) and a one-wayvalve to afford the greatest protection against spilling, yet easyaccess for cleaning. A lid (75) is preferably provided to seal the topof the straw, preventing contamination of the straw (35) when it is notin use. The lid (75) is equipped with a tether (85) which secures thelid (75) to one of the handles (40) so that it is not lost during use ofthe present invention. The tether (85) may easily be removed from thehandle (40) for cleaning by the owner. The lid (75) is configured tocover both the opening at the top of the straw (35), as well as theentirety of the lip stopper (45) of the straw (35), ensuring that allpoints of contact between the present invention and the mouth/lips ofthe child are kept clean until used. A portion of the lid (75), shown asthe press-fit cavity (105) is configured to press-fit onto a strawopening (115) or tip of the straw (35) to help keep the lid (75) inplace securely.

The second embodiment of the present invention has only one air hole(80) and one drinking hole (60), and is preferably used after ability isdemonstrated by the child. Progressively, the child may then graduate tothe second embodiment of the cap (30) of the present invention forslightly less restrictive flow of liquid. It should be understood thatthe cap (30) of the present invention is a specially designed lid. Thisdesign is easy to clean thoroughly.

A fourth embodiment of the cap (30) of the present invention is equippedwith a straw (35) configured to promote correct use, as the straw (35)does not enter the mouth, but rather remains on the lips of the childduring use. A lip stopper (45) is preferably disposed on the straw (35)such that it circumscribes the straw (35) horizontally, preventing thestraw (35) from entering the user's mouth beyond the lips during use. Inthe present invention, the straw (35) may be integrated or molded withinthe cap (30). In such embodiments, the lip stopper (45) is preferablymolded to the straw (35). All embodiments are preferably molded suchthat the straw (35) and lip stopper (45) are one unitary piece. Itshould be understood that the straw (35) is preferably available with orwithout a one-way valve.

It is envisioned that the straw (35) extends nearly to the bottom of thecontainer portion (10). This is to allow the consumption of all of theliquid housed within the container portion (10) while maintainingcorrect drinking posture. As with conventional straws, the presentinvention preferably must remain upright and nearly level for the strawto function correctly. Additionally, the child is required to use a chintuck or tilt his or her head down for the lips to meet the end of thestraw (35). Adequate training of drinking with a straw is importantbecause it works to strengthen the tongue and lip muscles. Adequatestrength and posturing of the lip and tongue muscles is necessary forproper swallowing, and for the correct production of many speech sounds.

The system of the present invention includes the use of a capper (55),which is configured for use on conventional food pouches for babies andchildren. The capper (55) is also equipped with a lip stopper (45)configured to limit the extent to which the capper (55) can extendbeyond the lips into the mouth of the child. Additionally, the capper(55) is equipped with a lid (75), which is permanently connected to abase (95) of the capper (55) via a tether (85). The lid (75) isconfigured to press-fit onto an opening (65) of the capper (55) via apress-fit cavity (105), preventing contamination of the contents of thefood pouch, the entirety of the lip stopper (45), as well as the capper(55) itself. The capper (55) is designed to fit atop the stock spout orsimilar straw-like protrusion from the pouch. The child may then consumethe food within the food pouch via the capper (55), and is unable toplace the opening (65) of the capper (55) beyond his or her lips. Thecapper (55), lid (75), and tether (85) of the present invention arepreferably fashioned out of a rubber, silicone, or similar food-grade,flexible, water-tight material. The capper (55) is configured to form anair-tight seal on the food pouch. The lip stopper (45) disposed on thecapper (55) is preferably built into the capper (55), such that thecapper (55) and lip stopper (45) are a unitary piece which can be easilycleaned. It should be understood that the capper (55) of the presentinvention is equipped with an opening (65) to facilitate the consumptionof food through the capper (55), as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. It isalso possible for the capper (55) to fit over certain conventional strawwidths. It should be understood that the opening (65) of the capper (55)is approximately ¼ inch above the lip stopper (45), preventing theopening (65) from traveling beyond the lips of the child during use. Thelid (75) is configured to be slightly larger in diameter than the lipstopper (45) to facilitate easy removal of the lid (75) from the opening(65). Similarly, the press-fit cavity (105) is slightly larger indiameter than the opening (65), allowing the press-fit cavity (105) tosecurely slide over the opening (65) when the lid (75) is sealed, asshown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

It should be noted that the capper (55) of the present invention doesnot inhibit the flow of food from the pouch. Other pouch toppers on themarket can make it difficult for the child to get the food out of thefood pouch easily via suction. Additionally, it should be noted that thecapper (55) of the present invention differs from other pouch toppers onthe market in that it is equipped with the lip stopper (45) to preventdamage to the child from use, as well as a lid (75) to preventcontamination. Additionally, it should be understood that the capper(55) of the present invention may be equipped with a means by which itmay be affixed to the body or spout of the food pouch when not in use inorder to prevent loss of the capper (55). For example, the capper (55)may be equipped with an attachment ring configured to wrap around andadhere to the body and/or neck of the spout of the food pouch.

It should be understood that all embodiments of the present inventionare envisioned for use by all children, including babies, physicallyimpaired children, and some physically impaired adults.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood thatvarious adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturingaway from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not solely limited to theinvention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprisesany and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated.

I claim: 1-6. (canceled)
 7. A method of transitioning drinking stylesfrom infantile suckling to drinking from a cup comprising: filling arounded container with a liquid; wherein said rounded container isequipped with handles; wherein said handles are disposed on a right sideand a left side of the rounded container; wherein said handles do notextend to a top of the rounded container; the child grasping thehandles; the child raising the rounded container; the child bringing alip of a lid of the rounded container to the child's mouth; the childtipping a bottom of the rounded container upwards; wherein the bottom isweighted; the liquid flowing out of drinking holes disposed on the lidof the rounded container, adjacent the lip; air passing into air holesdisposed opposite of the drinking holes, displacing the liquid; the lidpreventing entirety of liquid remaining from spilling simultaneously;the weighted bottom assisting the child to place the rounded containerdown upright; and the child placing the rounded container down.
 8. Amethod of training a child to drink correctly from a cup which does nothave a spout comprising: filling a rounded container with a liquid;wherein said rounded container is equipped with handles; wherein saidhandles are disposed on a right side and a left side of the roundedcontainer; the child grasping the handles; the child raising the roundedcontainer; the child bringing a lip of a cap of the rounded container tothe child's mouth; the child tipping a bottom of the rounded containerupwards; wherein the bottom is weighted; the liquid flowing out ofdrinking holes disposed on the lid of the rounded container, adjacentthe lip; air passing into air holes disposed opposite of the drinkingholes, displacing the liquid; the cap preventing entirety of liquidremaining from spilling simultaneously; the weighted bottom assistingthe child to place the rounded container down upright; and the childplacing the rounded container down via the weighted bottom.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the cap is threaded to a top of the roundedcontainer.
 10. (canceled)